That being said, one of the best (and most misunderstood) treasures in my eyes that Dallas has is Fair Park and The State Fair of Texas. I had gone to the State Fair occasionally with my kids, but when Ann Alexander of the USA Film Festival talked me into entering the Glue a Shoe contest in the Creative Arts building I was hooked, and have been attending and entering the contests ever since.

The Glue a Shoe Competition at the State Fair of Texas Photo: Lisa Stewart Photography

That was the start of a lifetime love affair with not only The State Fair, but with Fair Park. It's such a wonderful place to enjoy all year long, and most people don't know that you can visit for free every day from 5am and 11pm except for the 24 days of the fair. With almost 2 million visitors last year, it's great to know that it is being utilized all year long.

#DecisionFairPark panelists

Thursday evening Candy Evans and CandysDirt.com hosted #DecisionFairPark where six esteemed Dallas residents including Angela Hunt, Candys'sDirt writer Jon Anderson, State Representative Eric Johnson and Founder chairman and CEO of Trammell Crow Company and founder of Foundation for Community Empowerment Don Williams. I had heard about the controversy surrounding privatizing Fair Park put hadn't paid a lot of attention until attending this meeting. What everyone had to say got my attention and made me curious about what was going on so I started doing my own research.

After the facts that I found and I read, I'm willing to give Walt Humann a chance and see what he can do to improve Fair Park. Is his plan perfect? I don't think any plan is, but I'm more comfortable with the direction he is taking, and the fact that he will listen to and help the neighborhood surrounding Fair Park instead of tearing it down and making it unaffordable for the workforce that currently lives there. I received this after I had written my post for Candy'sDirt, but a copy of the Proposed Management Agreement can be found here.

After being President of the board of Shared Housing, I understand now how important mass transportation is to our workforce housing segment and people looking for jobs. When Humann was involved with DART he made sure that there are 2 DART stations nearby.

When I voiced my opinion to Candy that I had a different opinion than the one that was shared at #DecisionFairPark and wanted to write about it, she agreed to give me the platform to do it. I do some writing about affordable housing, design, and new home construction for Candy'sDirt.com but I have never written an opinion piece for her or anyone else. She respected the fact that I wanted it to be my voice, and even if it was different than others she was willing to share it.

Here are my thoughts on Candy'sDirt. Thank-you Candace Evans and Candy'sDirt for being true to offering all opinions - even if yours is different than mine, it's important for everyone to discover the facts for themselves and make their own opinions.